
Your Driving and the Road
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have a different turn signal
flasher and extra wiring. The green arrows on your instrument \
panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lights will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about
to turn, change lanes,
or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your instrument pan\
el will flash for
turns even
if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think \
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when they are not.
It’s important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or
steep downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On
a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed to 45 mph (70
kmlh) or less to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
If you have an automatic transmission, you should use D (or, as you need to,
a lower gear) when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in D when towing
a trailer will minimize heat buildup and extend the
life of your transmission.
Or,
if you have a manual transmission with fifth gear and you are to\
wing a
trailer, it’s better not
to use fifth gear, just drive in fourth gear (or, as you
need to, a lower gear).
Parking on Hilk
You really should not park your rig on a hill. If something goes wrong, your
rig could start
to move. People can be injured and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into P (Park) yet, or into gear
for a manual transmission.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3, When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes\
until the
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking brake, and \
then
chocks absorb the load.
shift
to P (Park), or R (Reverse) for a manual transmission.
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the transfer case \
is in
a
drive gear-not in
N (Neutral).
4-62

Service & Appearance Care
The following explains your cooling system and how to add cool\
ant when it is
low.
If you have a problem with engine overheating, see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
The proper coolant for your vehicle
will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of clean water (preferably distilled), and antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
6038-M,” which won’t damage aluminum parts. Also use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) with a complete coolant change.
If
you use these, you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be dangerous.
I
Plain water, or some other liquid like alcohol, can boil before the \
proper coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mix. With plain water or the wrong mix, your
engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat \
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Us\
e
a 50/50 mix of clean water and a proper antifreeze.
jIi ,yo.w use an improper coolant mix, your engine .coutd overheat andi
badly damaged. The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.’ TP~
much water in ;the mix can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, .heater
wre-ad -.other parts.
Some conditions, such as air trapped in the cooling system, can affect the
coolant level in the radiator. Check the coolant level when th\
e engine is cold
and follow the steps under “Adding Coolant” for the prope\
r way to
add
coolant.
.. .. ..
If you have to add coolant mdre than four times a year, have your dealer
check
your cooling system.
6-26

Service & Appearance Care
Hood Laiches and Hood Hinge
Your maintenance schedule will tell you how often to lubricate the hood latch
and hood hinge assembly. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubrican\
ts” in the
Index for the proper lubricant to use.
Propeller Shaft Slip Splines
See your maintenance schedule to find out how often the slip \
splines must
be lubricated, See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index for the
proper lubricant to use.
Constant Velocity Joints
See your maintenance schedule to find out how often the consta\
nt velocity
joints must be lubricated. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”\
in the
Index for the proper lubricant to use.
Body
Normal use of your vehicle will cause metal to metal wear at some points on
the cab and body
if they are not lubricated.
For exposed surfaces, such as door checks, door lock bolts, lo\
ck striker
plates, dovetail bumper wedges, etc., a thin film of engine oil should be
applied.
The seat adjusters and seat track should be lubricated with ch\
assis grease, Door weather strips and rubber hood bumpers should be lightly \
coated with a
rubber lubricant.
Never use too much of any lubricant and be sure to wipe up any extra
lubricant when you are finished.
Your maintenance schedule will tell you how often to lubricate these items.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
for the proper
lubricant to use.
Lock Cylinders
To be sure your locks operate properly, they must be lubricated, Your
vehicle’s maintenance schedule will tell you how often
to lubricate them. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index for the proper lubricant to
use.
You should not use penetrating oils because they could wash out the factory
installed lubricant and cause the lock to bind. De-icers which contain alcohol
could also wash away the lubricant,
so be sure to lubricate the lock after
using a de-icer
of this type.
6-36

Service & Appearance Care
Specification Charts
Replacement Parts
Replacement part numbers listed in this section are based on the latest
information available at the time
of printing, and are subject to change. If a
part listed in this manual is not the same as the part used in your vehicle
when
it was built, or if you have any questions, please contact your GM truck
dealer.
Engine identification
Liter VIN Fuel Produced
Displacement Type Engine Code System BY Emissions
5.7 V8 K TB I U.S., Can.
7.4 V8 N TB I us.
*
*
*Light Duty Emissions with 8500 GVWR and below or:
Heavy Duty Emissions with 8501 GVWR and
above.
TO291
Wheel Nut Torque
MODEL DESCRIPTION TORQUE
C 1500 5 bolts (14mm) 120 ft. Ibs. (1 60 Nmm)
K 1500, C-K 2500 6 bolts (1 4mm) 120 ft. Ibs. (160
N-m)
C-K 2500 8 bolts (14mm) 120 ft. Ibs. (160 Nem)
I TO2951
Cooling System Capacity
VIN QUANTITY*
ENGINE CODE Without NC With AIC
5.7L K 17.5 Quarts (16.5 Liters)
18 Quarts (1 7 Liters)
7.4- N 23 Quarts
(22 Liters) 25 Quarts (23.5 Liters)
*All quantities are approximate.
*After refill, the level
MUST be checked as outlined under “Engine Cooling
System” in Section
5.
TO292
6-68

Skidding ..................................... 4-23
Stuck
in Deep Snow .... 4-56, 5-31
Through Water
............... 2-1 5, 4-34
Uphill
.......................................... 4-28
Winter
........................................ 4-53
With a Trailer
............................ 4-60
Drunken Driving
........................... 4-1 0
E
Electrical System ......................... 6-37
Add-on Equipment
................... 6-67
Engine
Adding Coolant
... 5-1 1, 5-13, 6-27
Air Cleaner
................................ 6-1 6
Block Heater
.......... 2-16, 3-5, 6-16
Computer Command Control
System
..................................... 6-45
Coolant
............................ 6-25, 6-68
Coolant Temperature Gage
...... 2-77
Cooling System
......................... 5-10
Crankcase .................................. 6-69
Exhaust
..................................... 2-28
Fan Noise
.................................. 5-1 6
Identification
................... 6-65, 6-68
Leaving Vehicle While Running
....................... 2-26
Oil (See
“Oil”)
Overheating ................................. 5-8
Running While Parked
............. 2-29
Starting
...................................... 2-1 4
Equipment, Add-on
...................... 6-48
Exhaust System
........................... 6-45
F
Fan Noise ...................................... 5-1 6
Filter Replacement Chart
............ 6-69
Finish
Care
............................................ 6-61
Damage
..................................... 6-62
Automatic Transmission
........... 6-17
Brake
.......................................... 6-32
Fluid Capacities
.................................. 6-68
Coolant
....................................... 5-11
Front Axle ................................. 6-24
Hydraulic
Clutch ....................... 6-21
Leak Check
............................... 6-35
Manual Transmission
............... 6-20
Power Steering
......................... 6-29
Radiator
..................................... 5-13
Rear Axle
.................................. 6-24
Recommended Fluids
.............. 7-25
Transfer Case
............................ 6-23
Windshield Washer
........ 2-40, 6-31
Four-wheel Drive
............... 2-30, 6-23
Transfer Case
................. 2-30, 6-23
Front Axle
..................................... 6-24
Fuel
.................................................. 6-4
Filling Your Tank
......................... 6-6
Foreign Countries
....................... 6-6
Gage
.......................................... 2-76
Gasolines
for Cleaner Air ......... 6-5
Tank Capacity
........................... 6-69
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
.......... 6-43
Fuse Block
................................ 6-44
Headlights
................................. 6-43
Power Windows and
Other Power Options
........... 6-44
Trailer Wiring Harness
............. 6-44
Windshield Wipers
................... 6-44
G
Gages .................................. 2-66, 2-76
Coolant Temperature Gage
..... 2-77
Fuel Gage
.................................. 2-76
Odometer
................................... 2-66
Oil Pressure Gage
.................... 2-78
Speedometer
............................. 2-66
Tachometer
................................ 2-67
Trip Odometer
........................... 2-67
Voltmeter
................. ................. 2-79
Glove Box
..................................... 2-56
9-3

INDEX
H
Halogen Bulbs .............................. 6.38
Hazard Warning Flashers
.............. 5-2
Head Restraints
.............................. 1-5
Headlights
............... 2-46, 6-38, 6-43
Composite
.................................. 6-39
High Beam Indicator Light
...... 2-74
High-Low Beam
............. 2-38, 4-36
Reminder
................................... 2-47
Replacement
................... 6-37, 6-72
Sealed Beam
............................. 6-38
Heating System (with AIC)
........... 3-5
Rear (Wagon Models)
................ 3-8
Rear Window Defogger
........... 3-11
System Controls
......................... 3-6
Heating System (without AIC)
..... 3-4
Fan Knob ..................................... 3-4
Function Lever
............................ 3-4
Rear Window Defogger
........... 3-1 1
Temperature Lever ...................... 3-4
Highway Hypnosis
........................ 4-46
Hitches
........................................... 4-59
Hood
Latches and Hinge ................... 6-36
Release
........................................ 6-8
Horn
............................................... 2-35
Hydraulic Clutch
........................... 6-21
Grease Fitting
............................ 6-23
Hydroplaning
................................. 4-38
1
If You’re Stuck In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
.............................. 5-31
Ignition Switch
.............................. 2-1 1
Inflation-Tire Pressure ................. 6-49
Instrument Panel
.......................... 2-62
Standard Cluster
....................... 2-64
J
Jack and Tools ............................. 5-18
Removal ..................................... 5-1 8
Storage
............................ 5-29, 5-30
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
K
Key Release Lever ....................... 2-13
Keys
................................................. 2-3
L
Lights ............................................. 2-46
Brake System Warning
............ 4-17
Bulb Replacement .................... 6-37
Charging System Light
........... 2-71
Check Gages Light
.................. 2-73
Dome
......................................... 2-48
Front Parkingnurn Signal
........ 6-40
Headlights (See “Headlights”)
Indicator
..................................... 2-68
Operation
................................... 2-37
Reading
..................................... 2-49
Roof Marker
.............................. 6-42
Service Engine
Soon ..... 2-72, 6-45
Rear
........................................... 6-42
Replacement Chart
.................. 6-72
Side Marker
.............................. 6-41
Underhood Reel
....................... 2-50
Loading Your Vehicle
........ 4-25, 6-46
Add-on Equipment
................... 6-48
Lubrication
..................................... 6-35
Accelerator Control System
.... 6-35
Constant Velocity Joints
......... 6-36
Front Axle
................................. 6-24
Front Shock Absorbers
........... 6-34
Front Suspension and Steering Linkage
................... 6-34
Front Wheel Bearings
.............. 6-34
Tailgate Handle
......................... 6-37
Hydraulic Clutch Grease Fitting
....................... 6-23
Hood Latches and Hinge
........ 6-36
Lock Cylinders
.......................... 6-36
Propeller Shaft Slip Splines
... 6-36
Rear Axle
.................................. 6-24
Recommended Lubricants
...... 7-25
Transfer Case
............................ 6-23
Luggage Carrier
........................... 2-80
Body
........................................... 6-36
9-4

Safety Chains ............................... 4-60
Scheduled Maintenance
Seats Safety Warnings and Symbols
..... 0-2
Services
............................ 7-4, 7-1 8
Controls
........................................ 1-2
Easy Entry Seat
.......................... 1 -6
Manual Front
............................... 1 -2
Power Driver‘s
............................ 1-3
Rear Folding
................................ 1-8
Reclining
..................................... 1-3
Removable
................................. 1-1 1
Seatback Latches
....................... 1-5
(AIR) System
............................ 6-45
Do-It-Yourself
............................... 6-3
Parts Identification Label
......... 6-67
Publications
........................ 8-6, 8-8
Replacement Parts and Filter Recommendations
.................. 6-69
Service Engine
Soon Light ......... 2-72
Service Station Checks
............... 7-28
Shift Indicator Light
.......... 2-22, 2-74
Shifting Into Park
......................... 2-24
Single Belt Accessory Drive
....... 6-34
Spare Tire
..................................... 5-1 8
Removal ..................................... 5-20
Storage ....................................... 5-30
Specification Charts ..................... 6-68
Speedometer
................................. 2-66
Starting Your Engine
................... 2-1 4
Column Shift Lever
.................. 2-25
In Emergencies
......................... 4-1 9
Tips ............................................. 4-1 8
Storage Compartments ................ 2-55
Other
.......................................... 2-6 1
Sun Visors .................................... 2-53
Secondary
Air Injection
Service
Steering
......................................... 4-18
T
Tachometer ................................... 2-67
Tailgate
............................................ 2-7
Electric Glass Release ............. 2-34
Theft
.............................................. 2-10
Thermostat
.................................... 6-28
Tilt Wheel
..................................... 2-35
Tires
............................................... 6-48
Balancing
................................... 6-55
Chains
........................................ 6-56
Changing a Flat
............. 5-16, 5-20
Flat
............................................. 5-16
Hub CapsNVheel Nut Caps
.... 5-22
Inspection and Rotation
.......... 6-52
Loading
...................................... 6-46
New ............................................
Pressure ..................................... 6-49
Spare (See “Spare Tire”)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
. 6-54
Torque Lock
........................ 2-24, 4-52
Towing
A Trailer ..................................... 4-56
Backing Up
............................... 4-61
Following Distance
................... 4-61
Hitches
....................................... 4-59
Maintenance
.............................. 4-63
Towing Your Vehicle
...................... 5-7
Traffic Lights
................................... 4-7
Trailer Brakes
.............................. 4-60
Towing
........................................ 4-56
Wiring Harness
......................... 2-82
Trailering Package
........................ 6-47
Transfer Case
..................... 2-30, 6-23
Transmission Automatic
.................................. 2-17
Five-Speed Manual
.................. 2-20
Fluid ................................. 6-1 7, 6-20
Fluid, To Add
.................. 6-1 9. 6-21
Fluid.
To Check .............. 6-18. 6-20
6-53
9-6